rules Archives - Moving Peaces

I had high hopes of sharing so many wonderful things with you via blog post earlier this week. (Because we all know it’s high time I finally posted some photos from our trip.) Alas, the week got away from me, and you’ll just have to keep waiting. Soon. But for now, let’s keep with the regularly scheduled programming. I know you know it’s time for the Thursday Three, so here we go.

1. There are rules and then there are realities. We all have things we need to do and it is what it is (like taxes or sleeping). But then there are things we feel we need to do, like blog more often or dust the ceiling fan or create a bucket list or say yes to everything. These are the things that pile up fast and seem to stress me out the most. The reality is, I don’t have to do all of those things all the time.

So maybe I spent more time with friends this week and less time writing–that’s okay. Maybe next week I’ll write 3 blog posts and finally practice ukulele, or maybe I’ll just go for a bike ride every day instead. Here’s what I’m getting at: We impose these goals and expectations on ourselves sometimes that aren’t actual necessities. That in itself is not a bad thing so long as we learn to make the distinction. So try not to get caught up in the stress of things that aren’t actually required and enjoy the life you do have. (Also, please don’t ever examine the top of my ceiling fan.)

2. Don’t spend all your time on the couch. Sure, sometimes we all need a breather, and I’ve definitely got my shows on Netflix. But try to make the time you have count. Don’t let it stress you out, but explore new opportunities and try new things. Plant a garden, try yoga, check out a networking event, read a book–you know, things.

3. We all do a little trial and error. Often it feels like if we don’t get something right the first or second time, it must not be for us. While I think we each have different talents and gifts, we have to leave room for trial and error. That’s part of learning and persevering. So much of life is full of trial and error…so just go ahead and try.

I am about to seem like one big oxymoron, but we got iphones. What?

What happened to saving? What happened to simplicity? What happened to less time on Facebook? What happened to a life focused on people and love?

I know.

There are reasons like, our cell phone provider essentially asked us to leave since we were constantly “roaming” in our new state. There’s the employee discount at AT&T with my job. There’s the free iphone 4, so they can clean house on those things and get us hooked before we know what hit us. Hey, don’t think I didn’t go kicking and screaming into this new life of smartphones.

So we have these things. No more calling my mom to ask her to google directions for me when I get lost. Maybe I’ll have more photos on the blog or be more socially aware with all these new apps. Trying to focus on the positives here.

There are so many potential negatives though. Smartphones have their benefits, but I don’t want to give my life over to them. I don’t want to be on-call 24/7. I don’t want to rely on the thing to solve all my problems and provide for all of my needs. I don’t want to sit in a room with people/friends and barely see their faces behind my screen. Later in life, I don’t want to be that mom that’s so busy with her phone that she can’t find time to spend with her kids. I don’t want you to be able to track me down and know my exact location. I don’t want to see your never-ending updates either. I don’t want to have my phone within sight at all times “just in case.” Just in case what? Someone likes my status on facebook or posts a new photo on instagram? No, not okay.

Simply put, I’m determining some rules for my phone use. I don’t want this getting out of hand, and I know how easy it can be. So far, here’s where I’m at:

No phones at the dinner table (not even just resting there)
No connecting it to Facebook for instant updates
Likewise, no automatic connection to work email – logging in separately only as needed
No phones after 10:30 pm – this was a rule we first had right after we got married and I think it needs to be reinstated
Call it like it is – if one of us is spending too much time on the dang thing, say so